Derry has oodles of yummy LegenDerry food and drink options to help visitors stay warm this winter. From cosy cafes to fireside restaurants and street food marvels to artisan bakers, the walled city is bursting with unique food experiences for all the family.
“The city has a thriving scene for foodies all year round, but the winter months are when our LegenDerry producers ramp up the delicious array of moreish comfort food available across the city,” said said Selina Horshi, chairperson of the LegenDerry Food Network.
LegenDerry street food
There is nothing better than a walk with the other half, or the family, along the ancient city walls on a winter’s day. And Derry has some incredible street food outlets to tempt every palate.
The eclectic menu at 2 North takes you on a journey to Brazil, Korea, the Middle East, and beyond, and the atmosphere is cosy and homely, with board games, travel books, and great hospitality guaranteed.
Pyke ‘N’ Pommes, an internationally acclaimed street food outlet with a choice of a bricks and mortar sit-in restaurant or a converted double decker bus serving delicious street food, is located along the city's quay. Everything is made from locally sourced produce, from grass-fed Wagyu beef burgers to tacos loaded with porter braised brisket or tequila battered haddock.
Step into the award-winning Mekong Street Food and you will be transported to the tastes of Bangkok or Hanoi. The Rough Brothers created a street beer especially for Mekong diners where Asian street food is served with LegenDerry flair.
Stephen Forbes, owner of Mekong Street Food and a member of the LegenDerry Food Network, said: “The emerging street food scene in Derry is great news for foodies as the quality available is top notch, across the city.
“I have been going to Thailand and Vietnam since I was 20 and fell in love with the food. A few years ago, I took my team to Asia to experience first-hand the joys of the cuisine so that they could replicate the flavours using locally sourced food and give our customers a truly authentic street food experience.
“We get seafood from Donegal Prime Fish and vegetables come from Seasonal Produce and the White Oaks Acorn Project, all based in Derry. Our meat comes from Lisdergen Meats and McAtamney’s who have exceptional quality produce that enhances our own unique style of street food.”
On the first Saturday of every month, the Walled City Market features even more fantastic street food. This includes La Tia Juana’s which serves authentic Latin American street food which is made with fresh, locally-sourced, gluten-free ingredients with options for carnivores, vegetarians, and vegans. You could also visit Fairley Flavours which produces a small batch Pirigo sauce that allows people to create their own South African delights, at home; and the Lo & Slo Food Truck and Sauces which has delectable barbecue sauces and dry rubs, and sensational street food served with LegenDerry heart and soul.
Heartisan
Artisan food and drink producers are the heart of any food scene, and Derry has some incredible choices.
Green Cat Bakery is bursting with tempting meringues, gravity-defying gateaux, traditional pies, coconut macaroons and decadent slabs of chocolatey traybakes. However, this time of year, it’s the LegenDerry winter soups that have people flocking to Eglinton.
At Scarpello, husband and wife team Kemal and Rachel have spent a decade perfecting their woodfired sourdough bread and pizzas, and that passion is palpable as soon as you enter the Buncrana Road bakehouse.
Rough Brothers' range of red ale, oatmeal stout, and pale ales are the real deal; authentic, artisanal, and downright delightful. Rough Brothers are serious when it comes to brewing – cheers to that.
Hidden City Café specialises in wholesome food, fair-trade, freshly roasted coffee, and organic teas. On the menu you will find a huge and eclectic variety of delicious salads, many of them vegetarian or vegan, gourmet sandwiches, stews, chowder and ‘soul in a bowl’, plus an array of vegan cakes.
Primrose on the Quay prides itself on fresh local produce, made from scratch and with great attention to detail. Feast on delicately made patisserie and fresh-from-the-oven traditional bakes made with recipes passed down from owners’ grandmother.
Coffee done right
Look out for the distinctive Silver Bean Coffee silver truck at food festivals and local events. Their delicious house-blend coffee is loved by locals, as are their homemade traybakes and nourishing, flavour-packed soups. Local ingredients abound and there is passion in every sip and bite.
Hidden gems
The Craft Village, located steps away from the ancient city walls, is a hidden gem with lots of lovely spots for a hearty breakfast, lazy lunch, or fine dining meal at the newly opened Artis by Phelim O’Hagan. Other special places to eat include Browns Bonds Hill and The Sooty Olive.
Life is sweet
Foyle Bubble Waffle Company, available at the Walled City Market on the first Saturday of every month, and at local food events, produces sweet, soft, and downright dreamy bubbles of waffle batter, made fresh in front of you and crammed with goodies like berries and cream, honeycomb ice-cream, and delicious sauces. They even have their own Nutz About Ye sauce, available for the public to buy.
Working up an appetite
Odhran Dunne, Visit Derry chief executive, said: “Food plays a key role when choosing where to go on a short trip. Food and drink in Derry~Londonderry is fantastically varied, from fine dining to an emerging street food scene and cafes serving up classic winter warmers. The Walled City has plenty of activities to help you work up an appetite too with award winning museums, boutique hotels, excellent shopping and unique experiences, so it’s a one-stop-shop for adventures.”
See www.visitderry.com for further information and visit legenderryfood.com to experience even more LegenDerry food and drink.
